Jack Shanik, who was described as having superbly formulated and consistently funny one-liners by Back Street Heroes Magazine, is expected to probe the limits of making sense in the comedy sketch.

Jim Bayes, described as one to look out for by the BBC, will then take centre stage and offer insights into darker moments by sharing tales about wrestling his demons while holding a plate of tofu in one hand and a pint in the other.

Jack Shanik said: “Preston has always been a favourite place to play, so it’s grand to be back as part of the Tringe and we’re delighted to have a run of five nights at the Guild Ale House, a really intimate venue.”

Jim Bayes said: “We are looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and hopefully plenty of new ones.”

The show takes place on Wednesday 20 September from 8pm, tickets are £26.50 or £24. Tickets can be booked via the Guild Hall website.

]]>Bill Bailey returning to Preston Guild Hallhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/05/bill-bailey-returning-to-preston-guild-hall/
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/05/bill-bailey-returning-to-preston-guild-hall/#commentsThu, 11 May 2017 11:00:15 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=66557Bailey’s show is a feast of comedy and music

Comedian Bill Bailey is bringing his new live show to Preston.

The Guild Hall hosts his Larks in Transit tour which begins in January 2018.

Bailey is always a sell-out when he visits the city and he’s described as ‘world-beating’ with his live shows.

Larks in Transit is described as a compendium of travellers’ tales and general shenanigans of twenty years as a travelling comedian.

He performs in Preston on Wednesday 21 March.

Tickets are £29 including booking fee and available from the Guild Hall website. Tickets go on sale from 10am on Friday (12 May).

]]>http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/05/bill-bailey-returning-to-preston-guild-hall/feed/1Comedy club starting in Lostock Hallhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/04/comedy-club-starting-in-lostock-hall/
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2017/04/comedy-club-starting-in-lostock-hall/#commentsTue, 18 Apr 2017 11:00:36 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=65682Some TV names are to perform at the club

Comedians who have appeared in Car Share and Phoenix Nights are to appear at a Lostock Hall comedy night.

The Ha Ha Comedy Club is starting at the Royal British Legion in Brownedge Road.

Andy Wilky, who has appeared in Mrs Brown’s Boys and Peter Kay’s Car Share, and Archie Kelly, of Phoenix Nights, are to headline the comedy night.

Also on the bill are Simon Wozniak, Stephen Cookson and MC Freddy Quinne is your host.

Doors are 7.30pm on Friday 26 May and the show starts at 8.30pm.

Tickets are available via WeGotTickets, from the bar at the British Legion or call 07931155887. £10 for adults and £8 for members.

Other performances include talent from around Lancashire and the North-West, such as Charlotte Berry, an ex-University of Central Lancashire Contemporary Theatre and Performance student, who will showcase Crystal Vision.

The festival will also feature the work of Wigan-based conceptual artist Claire Doyle and UCLan Graduate Frances Kay’s shockingly beautiful durational work ‘Sorry’.

Exciting Chorley-based comedian John Porter will preview his new Edinburgh Fringe show Lunatic (of the) Fringe.

Audiences can come and go as they please without charge, and they can leave donations at the end of a performance going directly to the performers, helping cover their travel costs, if people wish.

Cook added:

“Free really is free. The audience can come and go as they please. You can come and watch one act, leave, and then come back later if there’s another act you think you might like.”

The Ham & Jam Coffee Shop, run by Richard Lowthian, a keen supporter of local arts in Preston and Lancashire, will have an alcohol licence for both nights allowing audiences to have the full festival experience – or you can have coffee.

Phil Walker is to be the MC for the new comedy night, and the first line up includes James Sherwood, Zahra Barri and Vince Atta.

Tickets are £15, via the venue website, and doors are 7.30pm with the show starting at 8.30pm.

Janet Walker, business development manager for the Guild Hall, said: “This is about boosting our comedy offering at the Guild Hall. We’ve been seeing some bigger names coming back and we want to have this regular comedy night. It’s important we keep a comedy night going and have a range of events at the venue.

“We want people to feel proud of the Guild Hall again and be excited about seeing all sorts of events. I hope people can join us for the new comedy night.”

Comedy at the Guild Hall has seen some bigger names beginning to return, with Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan two of the names confirmed to appear in 2016.

Did you ever go to the Frog and Bucket? What do you think of the new comedy club line up? Let us know in the comments below

The cast are all amazing to work with (my favourites are the little fairies they are so cute! This week so far we have been entertaining the school & the kids have been amazing to do a show for! There Jason much energy it really gives us aloft even if we are feeling a little bit tired sometimes.

Jacqueline Leonard as Maleficent. Pic: Photgrapher Michael Porter

The schools were booing poor Maleficent so much yesterday she couldn’t hear herself talking! I have to admit it did make me laugh a bit! Anyhow if you haven’t already done so get your tickets for our critically acclaimed Sleeping Beauty soon because they are selling fast!

Lots of love Billy xx

Have you been to see the Sleeping Beauty panto at the Charter Theatre yet? Let us know in the comments below.

The opening night of Preston Guild Hall’s spectacular pantomime Sleeping Beauty has been receiving high praise from audience members and press alike.

Sleeping Beauty is the first pantomime under the Guild Hall’s new ownership, and the first one to be produced in-house. The show, starring Jacqueline Leonard (Coronation Street) as the wicked Maleficent, Hayley Hassall (CBBC) as The Good Fairy and Archie Kelly (Phoenix Nights) as the King; has been written and directed by stand-up comedy star Phil Walker, who also takes to the stage as the hilarious Silly Billy!

The SOLD OUT opening show was buzzing with excitement as families, after school cubs, Brownie packs and press took their seats. They witnessed an extraordinary mix of ‘the usual’ panto gags with a modern twist, which is sure to delight traditional panto enthusiasts as well as fans of Little Mix, Sam Smith and…Minions?!

Remarkable special effects created by illusion specialists The Twins FX, add a spectacular element to this show by bringing magical creatures and futuristic elements to life using technology never been seen before at The Guild Hall…but we don’t want to give too much away! You will have to go and see for yourself!

In response to the overwhelming support the Guild Hall has received about this venture, they have decided that “we’ll have to do it again then, won’t we? Wooo!”So watch out for the 2016 panto announcement coming soon!

Sleeping Beauty is running until Saturday 2nd January 2016 and there are still tickets available, to book contact the Box Office on 01772 80 44 44 or via the Preston Guild Hall website.

Have you been to see Sleeping Beauty at the Charter Theatre yet and what did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.

Well after months and months of getting everything prepared and we are almost ready to finally begin our Panto Sleeping Beauty at the Guild hall charter theatre! I am so excited I can hardly breathe! I can’t wait to meet all of my fellow characters and technical crew at rehearsals next week. We will all be rehearsing for two weeks before our big opening shows on December 7th!
Now this may not seem like a long time to practice everything but after a few years doing this it never ceases to amaze me just how quickly it all comes together (fingers crossed!).

We will be rehearsing intensively for the next two weeks practicing our lines, songs, dances and comedy sketches as well as our special effects. I’m really sorry everyone but I can’t tell you too much about these effects as I am sworn to secrecy but what I can tell you is they will blow your mind! I guarantee you will all be talking about them for weeks afterwards, I promise! These special effects have never been seen before on a stage in the region, so you will be first to witness them! Of course, along with the special effects we must have a true core of talent on the stage and I can tell you this cast are all fantastically talented!

As for me I really can’t wait to meet you all, if any of you have seen me in any of my previous Pantos in Blackburn you will know just how much I love doing Pantomime and I am raring to go at the beautiful charter theatre this December!

Looking forward to seeing you all there and if you haven’t already booked your tickets then make sure you do soon as they are selling like hot pies in Wigan!

Hello again Preston folk and Planet earth! Its me Billy with your weekly update on all things Sleeping Beauty Panto coming to the Lovely Preston Guildhall charter theatre this December!

Well, it is almost rehearsals time, Oh yes it is!! Very soon all of us involved in putting on the Panto will be locked away for hours on end practicing our lines, songs, dancing and singing as well as all the technical stuff that goes into bringing a show to the stage for the big opening night! Two weeks doesn’t sound like a long time to put on a show does it? But we manage to do it every year so far, so fingers crossed we can all get it right! I really like the rehearsals its great to meet and work with new and highly talented people I’ve never met before, as well as meeting up with some old friends.

Just look at us in the picture below with the children from St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Lea, Preston on the Harris balcony steps. They were really excited to see us and we were so happy that we bumped into them while they were looking around the wonderful museum.

The happy children from St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Lea, Preston, with us on the Harris balcony

We have a truly awesomely talented cast in this year`s show as well as all the lovely technical crew, responsible for all things technical in the show (sound and lights etc!). Also in the big build up to the show opening we have to promote the show so everyone knows we are coming to town. We have already started the promotion by visiting some of the great schools in the Lancashire area, where myself and the cast had lots of fun with all the lovely boys, girls and teachers and we look forward to seeing some of the schools we went to at our show!

Look out for us on Posters all around the place and even on the Preston buses. We are looking forward to saying hello to all those who are coming to the big Preston Christmas lights switch-on this Saturday November 14th in Preston City centre!

Silly Billy here again with my weekly Blog all about the brill Panto Sleeping Beauty coming to Preston Guild Hall this December.

Those clever photographers from Blog Preston were with us on Wednesday to take some fab pictures. Just look at me on the Harris balcony, I wasn’t scared at all to be up there, honestly!
While we were there, we met some of the kids from St. Bernards Catholic Primary School in Lea, Preston; they were as surprised as we were to meet up. Anyway, they came out onto the Harris balcony steps and had their photo taken with us. Wasn’t that totally cool? You can see them in the pictures below.

Children of St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Lea, Preston on the Harris balcony steps with the cast of Sleeping Beauty

The good fairy (Hayley Hassall) talking to the children of St. Bernard’s in the Harris Museum

The Good Fairy and Maleficent

The cast of Sleeping Beauty

Maleficent, Princess Aurora and The Good Fairy

Well in previous blogs I told you all about the fab cast of characters we have in the show so now, how do we go about putting all the other bits regarding the show together? Well first off we need to dress the cast in beautiful costumes so that they look smart! So we have enlisted the talented people from Stage works worldwide Productions who have provided costumes for a lot of shows that I have been involved in as well as hundreds of productions across the globe. So I am sure we will all look stunning! Then we need a stage set (this is the scenery & background for the show). Well we have to hire all this from a company who specialise in this sort of thing, a big feature in this will be a big revolving tower where Princess Aurora will meet her fate! Also involved in this year`s show, we are very lucky to feature the exciting talents of the Twins FX! They will help us deliver the WOW factor & will leave you talking about the show for weeks to come, I promise you! See them in action by clicking or tapping this link here.

The cast of Sleeping Beauty

The Good Fairy and Maleficent

The Prince

The cast of Sleeping Beauty

Maleficent, Princess Aurora and The Good Fairy

As well as all this we have our super talented team of sound & lighting engineers making sure the show looks & sounds fantastic. Last, but by no means least, we need a script for the show, this has been written by that really cool dude Phil Walker (some people say I look a bit like him). Phil has 14 years of Pantomime experince behind him …Oh yes he has! so this year`s show is sure to be packed with lots of funny jokes to have you rolling in the aisles (as well as one or two corny ones!); well Panto wouldnt be Panto without those would it!? And, also the latest songs from the charts to have you singing along to as well as of course a cracking storyline. We are all getting ready for our rehearsals soon so we hope to see you all at the big show. It starts December 7th & runs right through until January 2nd so make sure you get your tickets here now!!

Oh, by the way, here is my joke of the week: How does Good King wenceslas like his pizza? …deep pan crisp & even!

The Guild Hall Sleeping Beauty team would like to take this opportunity to thank the Museum of Lancashire for loan of their spinning wheel and also thank the Harris Museum staff and management for allowing the Press Call to take place in the Museum.

Did you see Silly Billy or any of the cast of Sleeping Beauty in the city centre this week? Let us know in the comments below.

Hello again everyone it’s Billy here with my weekly blog thingy all about the fabulous Sleeping Beauty Panto
Coming to Preston this December!

Last week I told you about some of the cast who are going to be starring on this year’s production so here’s a bit about the others:

Next we needed a King who is quite funny, so I asked my good friend Archie Kelly (from Phoenix nights & many other top TV shows) if he would like to play the King, and to our delight he told us he would love too! I’m really looking forward to seeing him as King because not only is he very funny, he is also an excellent singer! Oh yes he is…!

No story is complete without a Prince and a Princess, so after weeks of auditions where we saw hundreds of really talented actors we finally chose the beautiful Charlotte Dalton and as her Handsome Prince, we are delighted to be joined by Ian Curran. Completing the cast will be our superbly talented professional male and female dancers as well as the lovely young girls from the Sandham Fichett performing arts school!

Tune in next time for info all about the technical side of putting together a Panto as well as some exclusive news about our special effects we will be using in this year’s show!

It’s me Silly Billy with your latest blog all about the exciting new Panto Sleeping Beauty coming your way to the Guild Hall this December!

It’s a long process putting a Panto together you know. Way back in March, Phil Walker (that really cool bloke who is writing & directing the show & also looks a lot like me) asked me to be part of the Pantomime & asked who I thought would be really great to help him tell the story.

Maleficent (the bad fairy), played by the beautiful Jacqueline Leonard

Well I told him first off that every Pantomime needs a goody & a baddy so we went in search of them. To play the part of Maleficent (the bad fairy) we asked the beautiful Jacqueline Leonard who had just finished a long run appearing in the famous Coronation Street!
We both agreed that along with her stunning looks & superb acting pedigree that she would be perfect for the part. Jacqueline is best known for her numerous long running roles on British television which include two years as Lorraine Wicks in EastEnders (BBC), four series as Sarah Preston in Peak Practice (ITV), two years as Lydia Murdoch in River City (BBC), Dr Caroline Powers in the first two series of Doctors (BBC) and most recently Linda Hancock in Coronation Street (ITV).

The good fairy, played by the lovely Hayley Hassall From CBBC

Then to help us fight Maleficent we needed a good fairy, so after a quick search we found the lovely Hayley Hassall From CBBC. We saw her one day reporting on news round & both agreed with her bubbly personality & beautiful fairy good looks she would make an excellent fairy! Hayley is an award winning investigative journalist and anchor on BBC children’s news programme, Newsround.
Hayley began her career working for the EU in Brussels before the world of TV beckoned and she secured a role at the BBC working as a producer and then a presenter.

Well that’s enough for this week, be sure to join in next week for more about our exciting show Sleeping Beauty! Also don’t forget about our brilliant schools competition for Draw a Dragon, there is still time to enter so if your school hasn’t already then get involved! All details are in the website by clicking this link.

PS here’s my joke of the week:

“Why was Cinderella dropped from the footy team? She couldn’t go to the ball!”

Do you know any good Silly Billy jokes? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Silly Billy’s weekly diaryhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2015/10/silly-billys-weekly-diary/
Sat, 17 Oct 2015 07:00:03 +0000http://blogpreston.co.uk/?p=48240Today we start the ‘Silly Billy’s weekly diary’ for the children and those who are children at heart. Silly Billy is one of the main characters in this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, at Preston’s Guild Hall.

Silly Billy and the coloured dragon

Hello Preston peeps!

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Billy (also known as “Silly Billy”). I’m really looking forward to coming to meet you all in my adventures in the pantomime story of Sleeping Beauty at the Preston Guildhall this December, it’s nice to meet new friends isn’t it? I spoke with Phil Walker the other day (He’s the really nice handsome chap who’s writing & directing the story) and he told me the people in Preston are a lot of fun is that right? I do hope so as I’m a fun seeking type of a guy! Anyhow, Phil was telling me all about all the people who are going to be in the show with me & they sound really cool! There is Hayley Hassall From CBBC she is playing the Good fairy she looks a lot of fun & she has lots of fairy friends, I love fairies don’t you? There is Archie Kelly as the King, He was on Phoenix nights you know! Oh & Jacqueline Leanard from Coronation street & Eastenders playing wicked Maleficent the bad fairy! Apparently I’ll have to watch out for her, as Phil told me she is a bit of a Dragon! I’m also looking forward meeting Prince Luke & Princess Aurora & all the villagers in the Kingdom, Oh it’s going to be so much fun!

So watch out for me in the next few months in & around Preston, I may be visiting your school having fun & talking about stuff like the draw a Dragon competition where you can win your school a fabulous prize! I’ve drawn mine check it out! Not bad eh? So if you see me come & say hi, oh & Book your tickets for the Panto soon as tickets are selling fast! I hear there are all kinds of great deals & group discounts on offer so get in there quick before they sell out! There are also going to be lots of events coming up where you will get the chance to see & meet me & my new friends so keep checking out this here blog thingy for new posts weekly!

Until the next time this is Silly Billy signing off over & out!… Oh here’s my Favourite joke of the week if you’ve got a better one then tweet me on that tweeter thing, I think it’s called Twitter? @SillyBilly2015

“What did the dragon say when he saw Prince Luke in his armour? ‘Oh no not more tinned food!’ “

See you soon

Lots of love

Billy Xx

Can you tell a better joke than Silly Billy? Let him know on Twitter @SillyBilly2015 and let us know in the comments below.

Award winning comedian James Bennison has endeavoured to fulfil his lifelong dream to become a superhero, going to extraordinary and often dangerous lengths to gain superpowers so that you don’t have to. In the last year, he has enrolled in Psychic College, hunted aliens and even broken into a nuclear power plant.

Join James as he presents his findings, see if he can bestow powers upon you, and find out if he has indeed achieved his lifelong dream of becoming super.

Based on real life correspondence and events James presents his mission in gaining superpowers and his passion for comic books. Designed for nerds and passing fans alike, find out if you too have what it takes to join his superhero team.

James Bennison has been performing comedy for over 5 years, storming Brighton this year with sell out performances of How to be a Superhero:

Appropriately enough the sound of The Ramones’ 1980 hit This Is Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio usher us in to Roland Gent’s show. The 50’s American nostalgia as depicted in the song, though, seems a million miles removed from contemporary community radio, and not just geographically.

Roland Gent tells his autobiographical story as a journey, a journey from darkness into light; from discordant sound to rock ‘n’ roll radio.

He is an inclusive comic, making sure that everyone is involved and having a good time. Several times he checks that his audience are comfortable with filth; it’s just as well they say ‘yes’ because filth comprises some of his best material. There is unalloyed joy in hearing (once again) the Today programme mispronouncing the name of the then Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. Gent trumps that with equally hilarious examples from Radios 2 and 5.

Stand up is, quite possibly, the hardest of all the performing arts because it relies on a degree of personal exposure; of establishing an instant relationship and rapport based on your own personality. Thankfully, Roland Gent’s personality is both likeable and very funny; and for all the bluster and swearing you sense there is a genuine empathy with those who have no escape from the depressing Salford estates where the community radio station is based.

What Gent does is create a temporary community out of his audience, and that temporary community celebrate together tiny victories as the Daily Express, Cabinet ministers, and various other powerful institutions are shown up for what they are. We are united in our ridicule; it may not change the world, but it makes us feel better.

So, if you have a spare 45 minutes go and see Roland Gent’s show. He deserves to been seen by more people; this would be electric with a full house. Providing you’re not offended by words that rhyme with sock, duck and hunt, you’ll be in for a liberating and uproariously comical evening.

As part of the Preston Tringe festival, Jo Coffey presents, Curiously Caffeinated: 7.30pm Sunday 2 August at the Korova Studio Theatre.

A survey has been conducted and it turns out that Jo Coffey is only the fourth smallest comedian on the comedy circuit to date, which has really messed up her posters.

Jo Coffey: Curiously Caffeinated shows you certainly don’t need to be big to be funny. Although very short, this lady is big on laughter, creating an offbeat act that will have you in stitches. In this original variety show, it’s her larger than life, hilarious characters that take centre stage.

Meet Colin The Terryist on a global mission to rid the world of people called Terry. Can you name a famous person still on TV called Terry? Nope, must be working then.

Or the Amy Winehouse impersonator with her singing Amy Winehouse dog ‘Amy Winehund’ on a bid to win Croatia’s Got Talent and Cally The Universal Messenger of Well Being who is an online Youtube horoscope predictor. She’s really good with Virgo, not that great at any of the others but really good at Virgo.

This is stand-up Jo Coffey’s first solo hour. She was a NATYS (formerly Hackney Empire new Act competition) Finalist in 2014 and a finalist in Funny’s Funny national comedy competition. She presented on BBLB as a digital presenter and Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, as the Sweaty Box presenter. She’s also worked with top variety acts Tiger Lillies and supported Pam Ann at Bloomsbury theatre.

Penwortham Live returns this weekend for three days of music, dance, creative arts and drama.

The annual festival will this year see a packed line up, including an Ed Sheeran tribute act. The festival will be taking place in areas such as newsagents, a church, health stores and pubs.

More than 10 venues are involved in the weekend that will feature over 160 different individual performances.

South Ribble Borough Council is hosting the event, in partnership with Penwortham Neighbourhood Forum and the Creative Network.

Wristbands cost £5 which gives access into all venues across the event and are available from venues and performers. A full line up of all of the daytime acts can be found by following this link here, and a full list of the evening acts can be found here.

Preston-born cricketer Freddie Flintoff is swapping his cricket bat for a microphone as he prepares for his first stand-up comedy tour, coming to his hometown for one night only.

Having recently won the Australian series of “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!” the 37-year-old will present “Freddie Flintoff 2nd Innings Live Tour” at the Guild Hall on July 7, before continuing around the country finishing in Harrogate on November 5.

The tour will feature a hilarious behind the scenes insight into the Ashes bus tour, to Freddie’s Guinness world record. The summer of this tour will mark the 10 year anniversary since the infamous victory of the Ashes in 2005.

They Eat Culture will host the latest edition to the programme at The Continental with, “When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish” this Thursday.

The quirky-titled family comedy show will see a mix of performance and music and is one of a year-long programme to be hosted by They Eat Culture, a non-profit production group. “When Trolls Try to Eat Your Goldfish” is the story of one by one, animals and birds mysteriously going missing into a forest lead by troll-prints.

The show is by award-winning Dominic Barry, who also performed on the BBC’s ‘Rhyme Rocket’ and has had a sell-out national tour last year. He has also collaborated with Simple Sergio, who has written and performed live music for the show.

“We always have a lot of fun when we come to Preston with a show,” he says. “There’s always a great turnout, and the kids are always super-enthusiastic!”

Tickets will be £5 each, or £15 for a family of four. Tickets can be purchased from the venue, or off the SeeTickets or Skiddle websites.

As Preston’s stand-up comedy scene flourishes we’ve teamed up with the Guild Hall for you to have a giggle.

We have two pairs of tickets to give away for the monthly Frog and Bucket comedy night.

While the Lord Street club may have closed down it was offered a new home for a monthly night in the Guild Hall.

The first night is on Friday 7 November and includes a line up of Alex Boardman, Katie Mulgrew, Daliso Chapondao and John Lynn.

For your chance to win just fill in the form below and we’ll let you know if you’ve won. You’ll get an email to say ‘wahoo, you’re going’ and the Guild Hall team will put your name on the door, with a +1 as well. Entries must be received by 12noon on Tuesday 4 November.

All of this means that it’s a great time to be a fan of comedy in Preston. Are you heading to any of these shows? Let us know.

]]>http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/comedy-resurgent-in-preston-despite-frog-bucket-closure/feed/1Frog and Bucket at the Guild Hall: Full first show detailshttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/frog-and-bucket-at-the-guild-hall-full-first-show-details/
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/frog-and-bucket-at-the-guild-hall-full-first-show-details/#commentsTue, 14 Oct 2014 19:00:04 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=37430

The response was strong and there will now be a monthly night starting on November 28, with a view to making it weekly if they are popular.

Manford said: “After so many people got in touch the other day to support a new night, we have opened up a brand new comedy night in your fine city. We are going to start it off monthly and then if it shows signs of success move it to weekly.

“Our first two are 28th November and 17th December at the Rift & Co right in the city centre.”

He said: “Secondly, after some research I found a smaller amateur comedians’ night in the city called ‘Survive the Five’ where brand new comedians can get up and see if they have what it takes to get to 5 minutes on stage without getting booted off!

“So to support them and the new comedians they’re helping, we will be offering the weekly winners a paid spot at our Preston club or our Ribby Hall comedy night, where they can test their five minutes on stage alongside 3 professional comedians! Exciting!”

Star comedian Jason Manford has asked the people of Preston if they would like him to stage a regular comedy night in their city, in the wake of the Frog and Bucket’s closure.

The former One Show host, who runs his new comedy nights countrywide under the name Manford’s Comedy Clubs, took to social media earlier today to ask his Preston fans if they would like him to bring the venture here.

He posted: “Sooooo people of Preston. I understand your regular comedy club closed down recently and now you are laughter-less.

“Well I’ve found a city centre venue that could host a Manford’s Comedy Club on a regular basis but I just need a bit of reassurance that there’s enough support for it (after one already closed!).

]]>Frog and Bucket nights saved by new Guild Hall ownerhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/09/frog-and-bucket-nights-saved-by-new-guild-hall-owner/
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/09/frog-and-bucket-nights-saved-by-new-guild-hall-owner/#commentsMon, 15 Sep 2014 20:09:30 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=36401 Comedy in Preston has received a timely boost. Frog and Bucket comedy nights will continue after the new owners of the Guild Hall stepped in to lend a hand.

Richard Simkin, head of operations for Preston Guild Hall Ltd, said: “Having lengthy discussions over the past couple of weeks with Jessica it was clear she was keen to find the ideal venue and partner. I am very brand conscious and will make sure The Frog and Bucket remains just that with The Frog’s ethics and product, remaining the absolute same moving forwards.

“We will work closely together in the future and hope to see the loyal fans and new faces on Friday 7 November with their laughter being heard across the city.”

Frog and Bucket manager Jessica Toomey said: “We have found the perfect partner and new home with Preston Guild Hall for The Frog and Bucket in Preston, and really looking forward to our first show in November. I’m delighted that we will continue to bring laughs to Preston.”

One the North West’s finest stand up comedians and part time poultry farmer comes to Preston. Real comedy ‘as assured as eggs is eggs’.

Music, Speech and the Sound of a Wheelbarrow, is an hour of stand up from Mike who recalls: “As a kid I would drop the stylus on the vinyl and wait for the music to begin. The crackle of static meant nothing but sheer anticipation and excitement. Although the static now has gone the excitement still remains. Everyone has a favourite song, recording or tune.

It never ceases to amaze me on how we can hear a song probably not have heard it for years and recall the lyrics verbatim. Music has been in my life from a very early age.”

”Always Funny” Jason Manford “Excellent” City Life

Korova Arts Café & Bar is an exciting new venue in Preston city centre. They regularly feature a programme of theatre, comedy, music and more. Plus great food and drinks.

Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker said: “As professional geeks we love ‘first ever’ things – the first Brit in space, the first person to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, and of course the first Festival of the Spoken Nerd in Lancashire.

“We’re taking the festival theme of Power Up! very seriously by bringing our biggest and best ever show to Preston – and we’re looking forward to a totally new audience showing us their Full Frontal Nerdity on the night too.”

The show is part of the Lancashire Science Festival.

UCLan public engagement manager Dr Jo Heaton-Marriott said: “We wanted to bring something a bit different to this year’s festival and the Festival of the Spoken Nerd show certainly does that.

“It’s not your run of the mill comedy night out. It’s a night of laugh out loud intelligent comedy that will get your brain ticking at the same time as making you giggle; even if you hated science at school and the thought of a Bunsen burner brings you out in a rash.”

The show was performed at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe and been on a sell-out tour.

Mark Watson is an acclaimed novelist and comedian, best-known for his appearances on Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow as well as the Edinburgh Fringe. In recent year’s Mark has tackled ‘green’ issues in ‘Crap at the Environment,’ a book which detailed his plans to halve his carbon footprint in the space of a year.

For more information on the UCLan Green Week have a look at look at @UclanGreenTeam

]]>‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’: Radio 4 at the Charter Theatre in Prestonhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2012/12/im-sorry-i-havent-a-clue-radio-4-at-the-charter-theatre-in-preston/
Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:02:34 +0000http://blogpreston.co.uk/?p=18655

Pointed out to me, a BBC Radio 4 show was going out live at the same time as tonight’s Preston Council Cabinet meeting making their final decision on the fate of Preston Bus Station. It was called I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Make of that what you will.

The comedy panel show was being recorded at and broadcast from Preston’s Charter Theatre, a few hundred yards from the Council Chambers and the doomed Bus Station itself.

The theatre is physically linked to the Bus Station and multi-story Car Park which currently provides over 300 covered parking spaces. When the Bus Station is demolished what impact will the lack of nearby parking have on the theatre and the Guild Hall complex as a whole.

It’s the second week the show has been in Preston. The latest episode featured regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor. They were joined on the panel by Victoria Wood, with Jack Dee in the chair.

Comedian Sarah Millican is at the Frog and Bucket in Preston (sold out).

Star of TV, Sarah Millican popped into the Frog and Bucket comedy club tonight to try out loads of new stuff in preparation for her BBC TV series. She will bring jokes, if you bring laughs. It’ll be rough and ready, very very fun, and a cracking night.

She has notched up countless appearances on top comedy shows including QI, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and her own own six part series, The Sarah Millican Television Programme (second series coming in 2013)

In her latest Tweet Sarah said “Me. New jokes. The people of Preston. Everything crossed”

It’s also the third birthday of the Frog and Bucket, Preston’s premier comedy venue.

If you attended Sarah’s show why not tell us what you thought in the comments box below